Norfolk pine is a type of conifer native to Norfolk Island, found in the Pacific Ocean, between Australia and New Zealand. Although it is not a real pine, this type of tree looks a lot like us and is often used as a Christmas tree. In nature, Norfolk pines can reach 60 meters, but they are also ideal as plants to keep indoors and, indoors, they reach a height that varies between one and a half and two and a half meters. The secret to caring for them is to ensure a very humid environment and indirect lighting, as well as to keep the temperature in the right range.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Providing the Right Nutrients
Step 1. Plant the tree in the right soil
In nature, Norfolk pines grow in sandy, slightly acidic soil. This means they need excellent drainage, which you can get by mixing in equal parts:
- Topsoil;
- Sphagnum;
- Sand.
Step 2. Keep the soil slightly moist
These trees love evenly wet soil, similar to the slight dampness of a sponge that has been wrung out, so not too soaked in water. Before watering, stick your finger in the soil to a depth of about 2.5 cm: when this surface layer is dry, water well with warm water, until the water drains from the holes in the bottom of the pot.
- Let all excess water drain into the saucer, which you will then need to empty when the water stops flowing.
- If the soil of the tree gets too dry, even once, the needles and branches may dry out, fall off and never grow back.
Step 3. Make sure the tree gets plenty of indirect sunlight
Norfolk pines need several hours of light per day, but they don't like direct light. The best location for this plant is a room with many windows facing northeast or northwest.
- You can also keep these trees in rooms with windows facing south or west, but you should install curtains to protect the plants from direct light.
- Other environments ideal for Norfolk pine trees include porches and covered patios.
Step 4. Fertilize these trees during the vegetative phase
In spring, summer and early fall, feed Norfolk pines with a balanced fertilizer once every two weeks. When watering the plant, add liquid fertilizer to the water to nourish it.
- A balanced fertilizer contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Norfolk pines should not be fed during vegetative stasis, between late autumn and late winter.
- To know when the growth phase will begin again, look for the light green shoots at the tips of the branches in spring.
Part 2 of 4: Growing a Healthy Norfolk Pine
Step 1. Rotate the shaft regularly
Like a sunflower following the sun, Norfolk pines also grow towards the light. To prevent the tree from growing unevenly and becoming unbalanced, turn the pot 90 degrees every week.
Be careful not to move the tree too much when you turn the pot, as these plants don't like to be moved
Step 2. Maintain the right temperature
These trees do not like extreme temperatures and do not survive long below 2 ° C or above 24 ° C. The ideal daytime temperature is around 16 ° C, while the night temperature is slightly lower, around 13 ° C.
Although these trees prefer lower night temperatures, they do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature well. A shady corner of a veranda is an ideal spot for plants of this type, because the night temperature will naturally drop when the sun goes down
Step 3. Make sure the tree has sufficient moisture
In their natural habitat, Norfolk pines grow in a tropical environment near the ocean, so they prefer a humid environment. The ideal humidity for them is 50%. You can maintain the right level by spraying room temperature water three times a day on the tree or by installing a humidifier.
It is especially important to ensure the right humidity level if you live in a cold or dry climate
Step 4. Prune only brown or dead parts
These trees do not require aesthetic pruning. You should only cut the branches that die or the tips that turn brown. To do this, use sharp shears.
When you prune a Norfolk pine, you stop the growth of the cut spot. Consequently, instead of stimulating the growth of the plant, pruning it will lead it to grow elsewhere and this will change its shape
Part 3 of 4: Choosing the Ideal Location
Step 1. Keep the tree out of drafts
Hot or cold drafts can cause needles to drop out, so choose a location for your Norfolk pine that is away from air vents, fans, and air conditioner vents.
You should also keep the tree away from doors and windows where drafts can enter
Step 2. Avoid moving the tree
The root system of the Norfolk pine is very fragile and can be easily damaged when you move the tree. Avoid moving the plant unless absolutely necessary, and once you find the perfect environment in which the tree grows well, keep it still for as long as possible.
- If you have to move the tree, do it very carefully and only a few meters at a time.
- Find a location for the tree from which it will not be inadvertently moved, hit, knocked down or pushed.
Step 3. After a few years, move the tree to a new pot
Repot the Norfolk pine every three to four years as the roots become visible above the ground. Prepare the new pot by filling it halfway with the mixture of soil, sphagnum and sand. Carefully dig up the tree from the original pot and place it in the new one. Fill the rest of the pot, covering the roots with more soil.
- Whenever you change the tree pot, choose one that is one size larger than the current one.
- Always choose pots with effective drainage holes, which allow excess water to flow.
- Although these trees don't like being moved, repotting is necessary from time to time to change the soil and allow for root growth.
Part 4 of 4: Solving Common Problems
Step 1. Water the plant less if the branches become limp and yellow
Norfolk pines prefer moist soil, but they don't grow well if you water them too much. When the branches go limp or begin to turn yellow, water the tree less frequently.
- You should only water the tree when the soil is dry in the first 2.5 cm depth.
- Yellow needles can fall off if you water the plant too much.
Step 2. If the needles turn yellow, water more frequently
Yellow needles (not accompanied by limp branches) are symptomatic of a pine not getting enough water. Water the soil abundantly as it dries up and increase the humidity of the tree's living environment.
You can increase the humidity by sprinkling water on the tree every day
Step 3. Expose the plant to more light if the lower branches turn brown
Be careful when lower branches turn brown, especially if they break off. This is an obvious sign that the tree is not getting enough light. Move it closer to a northeastern or northwestern facing window, a south or west facing window protected by a curtain, or on the porch.
- Norfolk pines need a lot of sunlight, as long as it's indirect.
- If you can't provide enough natural light for the tree, consider installing plant-specific full spectrum lamps.
Step 4. Adjust the humidity if you notice the needles falling out
When the needles fall out but do not change color, it can be a symptom of some problems, for example too high or too low humidity. Often, the cause is insufficient humidity. If the soil feels very dry and you don't water often, water it more frequently. If the soil is moist and you water often, allow more time to pass before watering the plant again.
